Phonograph-reproducer.



T. A. EDISON.

PHONOGRAPH REPRODUOER.

APPLICATION FILED B11029, 1008. RENEWED D1107, m1.

Patented Mar. 19, 1912.

THOMAS A. EDISON, 0F LLEVVELLYN PARK TD THOMAS A. EDISON, INCORPORATED,

DURATION OF NEW JERSEY.

, WEST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR OF WEST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, A COR- PHONO GRAPILREPROD UCER.

S pecification of Letters Patent. Application filed December 29, 1908, Se1'ia1 No. 469,886. Renewed December 7, 1911.

Patented Mar. 19, 1912.

sci-m1 No. 664.493.

7 '0 all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, Thomas A. EmsoN, a citizen of the United States, and a resh dent ofLlewellyn Park, lVest Orange, .Fsseit county, State of New Jersey, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Phonograph-Reproducers, of which the following is a clear, full, and concise description.

My invention relates to phonograph reproducers and has for its object the provision of an improved mounting for the stylus lever in order that the same may have great freedom of movement in tracking the grooves of the sound record, and in order that the defects due to inertia of the moving parts may be obviated.

More particularly, the object of my invention is to provide a mounting for the stylus, which shall crmit the latter to be used in connection .Wlth records having two hundred threads to the inch, and track the same faithfully and without injury to the record or the stylus. While the stylus mounted in the manner of my invention is equally well adapted for use in connection with recordshaving one hundred or'somc'other number 'of threads per inch, the requirement of great facility of movement of the stylus lever both in'a direction parallel to vand transverse to the record groove, is particularly important in the case of the two hundred thread record or other record having a great number of threads per inch, owing to the thin walls between the record grooves, which might be broken down or jumped across by a stylus, the parts moving with which have considerable inertia, and owing to the character of the .record grooves gen erally. Accordingly, a stylus mounting of the greatest freedom of lateral movement and the least possible inertia is very desirable. This is provided for in my invention by mounting a comparatively light member pivotally on or in a recess in the floating Weight, so that the said member may be free to rock upon its pivot in a'plane nearly parallel with that of the diaphragm,

the s'aid pivotally mounted member carrying the ",vlus lever pivoted thereto on a horizontal pivot. The stylus lever is thus free to oscillate iira plane at right angles to the plane of the diaphragm in response to the undulations of the record groove, and

also is free to move laterally with the mom her to which it; is pivoted with the very slight; inertia belonging to the very light pivot number above referred to. It is to he noted that the floating weight to which this member is pivoted is itself mounted for a. limited movement in planes substantially parallel to and crossing at right angles the plane of the diaphragm, as is common in the art. It is preferable to pivotally mount the member which carries thestylus lever at a point not far distant. from the pivotal point of the floating weight.

A further object of my invention is to provide yielding means by which the pivot member and the stylus lever carried thereby may be normally held in a central position axial to the record groove tracked by the stylus.

, Further objects of my invention are the provision of improved details of construction and combination of parts.

In order that my invention may be better understood reference is hereby made'to the accompanying drawings, forming part of.

this specification, in which-.-

Figure 1 is a central vertical section through a rcproducer equipped with my invention. Fig. 2 is a bottomview thereof.

The sound 'box 1 is formed by the member 2, which has formed integrally therewith the neck 3, to which the phonograph horn may be connected. The diaphragm 4 is clamped in position between gaskets 5 and 6, which are clamped in position between the body 2 of the reprodueer and the ring 7, which bears screw threads on the periphery thereof, which are adapted to engage with screw threads on the interior vertical flange 8 of the. phonograph body. The floating weight 9 is pivotally connected by a pin or screw 10 to a member 11 Which of cylindrical is pivotally mounted by means of the screw or short stud 12, whichis secured in the flange 8 of member 2 of the reproducer, .thus producing a floating weight which is free to oscillate to a certain extent in a di rection crossing the plane oi the diaphragm,

and also in a plane substaritially parallel.

to that of the diaphragm in a manner well known in the art. The pin l3 extending from the periphery of the floating weight at a point diametrically opposedto the pivot of said weight, and engaging within the stirrup 14:, which extends from the adjacent point of the flange 8 of mg weight in the'var-i'ous directions possible to it, in a manner well knownin the'art.

The stylus lever 15 carries the stylus 16, and is connected by link 17 to the diaphragm, the link 17 being attached to the said diaphragm in a manner well known. Stylus lever ears or lugs 19, depending from member 20, which is pivoted on screw or pin 21, which is mounted in an approximately vertical position in the floating Wei ht. Pivot pin 21 for themember 2O ishel securely-in place by means of blocks or lugs 22 and 23 on the upper and under sides of weight 9, which are heldin position as h screws 24 and 25. Member 20 is preferab y mounted within the recess or opening 26 cut in the floating weight, which is preferably shaped to correspond to the exterior of member 20, and to allow. the latter suflicient lateral movement therein. Member 20 is provided with a cenmove the member 20 'tral vertical passageway 21, through which passes the link 17. Member 20 is normally held in its central position in which the stylus is maintained axially in the record groove which it is tracking py any. convenlent-yielding means as by the spiral spring 28, which is secured to the floating weight at 29 at one; end, and at" the other end to a short link 3?), which is screwedv to member 20 at the point 31. This spring is so adjusted and is secured at such an angle that it is only free from stress when member 20 is in its central position. Movement of member 20 to either side of its central-positibn flexes the spring to one side or the other of its neutral position, thereby putting it under stress to return the member 20 to its central position with a gentle force, as soon aswhatever force may be acting to tion ceases.

It is understood that my invention is not limited to the precise device or. construction shown, but may of the a pended claims without departing fromth' spirit of my invention.

the body of the reproducer, limits the movements of the float- ,15 is pivotally mounted as on, screw or pin 18, which is supported in the from its central posi be varied within the scope Having now described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters ltatent of the United States is as follows 1 In a phonograph reproducer, the com bination with a diaphragm, of a floating position parallel with the axis of the record groove and returning it to such position after the cessation of any force tending to move it therefrom, substantially as described.

and yielding 2. In a phonograph reproducer, the com bination with a diaphragm, of a floating weight,-an elongated member pivoted at one end on said floating weight and free to turn relatively to the same in a plane nearly parallel with the plane of said diaphragm, a stylus lever connectedto said diaphragm and pivotally mounted upon the opposite end of said member to rock in a direction crossing the plane of said diaphragm, said diaphragm connection being intermediate said member and lever pivots, and a spring connected to said member and weight for normally holding said member in a position axial of said weight and being under as the said member is moved either to side or the other of said normal position, substantially as described.

3. In a phonograph ire-producer, the co n bination with a sound box having a CLUE,

phragm mounted therein, of a floating weight mounted on said stylus and pivot-ally mounted yielding means connected to said Weight and member for normally holding said member in a position parallel withthe axis of the record groove and returning it to such poy sition. after the cessation of any force'tenol-I ing to move'it therefrom, substantially-as. described. 1 a 4. In aphonograph reproducer, the com bination-with a sound box having a dist-i phragm mounted therein, of 1 a; floating weightmounted on said. sound boat, a mom-- sound box, a meal be r mounted on said floating weightfree ts turn relatively to the same in a lane parallel with the plane of the diaphragmsa. lever connected to said diaphragm on said member, and

l Gil ber mounted onsaid floating weight, free to turn. relatively to the same in a plane nearly parallel with the plane of thedia-l phragm, a stylus lever connected to said tending to move it therefrom, substantially 10 diaphragm and pivotally mounted on said as described.

member, a link secured to said member and This specification signed and witnessed yielding riileans COIXIIHQCtEC} to said ling ang this 21st day of December, 1908.

Weig t an norma y in a inement wit sai link, said means normall holdin said THOS' EDISON member in a position paral e1 with t c axis Witnesses:

of the record groove and returning it to such DYER SMITH,

position after the cessation of any force ANNA R. KLEHM. 

